Nizhny Novgorod parliamentarians inspected the work of the forest fire services at Bor.

      On July 25, 2025, at 17:46 [117], Society in the Bor district held an off-site working meeting of the Legislative Assembly committee on ecology and natural resources. Chaired by Vladislav Atmakhov, attendees, including Deputy Chairman of the Legislative Assembly Denis Bakiev, Minister of Forestry Roman Vorobyov, government representatives, and forestry patrol officials, assessed the consequences of recent windfalls and storm damage, and inspected the technical equipment of the Bor Forest Fire Station (LPS) type III.

      The deputies visited the Bor Forest Fire Station (LPS) type III — one of the largest in the region. Participants were shown firefighting equipment: six specialized tanker trucks, tractors, long-range unmanned aerial vehicles for forest monitoring, and equipment for clearing areas.

      "The Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife Protection of the Nizhny Novgorod region actively implements and applies advanced developments in its operations. Unmanned aviation is highly effective not only in detecting forest fires early but also in assessing forest resources, identifying illegal logging, evaluating damage from fires, pests, and diseases, as well as monitoring forest restoration efforts. The positive practice of using unmanned aviation by the ministry should be gradually expanded to other sectors," noted Denis Bakiev.

      Special attention was also given to a mobile command post based on an off-road vehicle equipped with satellite communication, which coordinates efforts to fight large-scale fires.

      Furthermore, lawmakers examined forest areas affected by recent windstorms. It was also noted that the Nizhny Novgorod region ranked in the top 15 Russian regions for the effectiveness of sanitary measures: in 2024, 1,276 hectares of forest were cleared. To accelerate ecosystem recovery, the "Healthy Forest" campaign was launched, which cleared 1.6 hectares of damaged areas in the Bogorodsky forestry district.

      "The format of an off-site meeting provides an opportunity for a comprehensive and detailed assessment of the situation on the ground. It is an effective mechanism for interaction among all key stakeholders — the regional ministry, the legislative body, forest protection specialists, and forest users. Together, we can quickly identify systemic problems and develop proposals to improve regulatory frameworks. Regular monitoring and sanitary inspections of the forest fund are integral parts of preventive work aimed at preserving forest ecosystems," said Roman Vorobyov, Minister of Forestry and Wildlife Protection of the Nizhny Novgorod region.

      A key issue identified during the working meeting was the lengthy procedures from the detection of windfalls to complete land clearing. Several measures have already been taken to address this, including a tripartite agreement between the Ministry of Forestry of the Nizhny Novgorod region, the Forest Protection Center, and forest users, which optimized certain procedures and partially shortened review times. However, the durations remain lengthy, leading not only to the loss of commercial timber quality but also negatively impacting forest sanitation and fire safety. It was decided to compile all recommendations that could help optimize inspection and approval timelines and to send a corresponding petition to federal authorities. Considering that this issue is relevant for all regions of Russia, it was also proposed to discuss it at the session of the Council of Legislators of the Volga Federal District.

      "Off-site working meetings not only allow us to identify problems locally but also enable prompt solutions. Today, we confirmed the need to reduce bureaucratic procedures to restore forests faster after natural disasters. Forests are our strategic resource, and their protection requires coordinated work across all agencies," said Vladislav Atmakhov, Chair of the Ecology Committee.

      Yevgeny Lyulin emphasized: "The work carried out is an example of a systemic approach to environmental protection. Technical equipment of fire stations, clearing of damaged areas, and digitalization of processes strengthen ecological safety. Today, we must ensure the ability to promptly eliminate the consequences of adverse weather conditions. Only then can we preserve the region’s forests for future generations."

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